What do you get when you mix 2,000ft of vertical gain, free beer and sweat-wicking t-shirts? My kind of party, that's what! Even though this fundraising effort and membership drive didn't take place at the top of the Manitou Incline, it sure was successful! In just under an hour and a half, over 100 "friends" had signed up.

Above: volunteers were helping long lines of new friends sign up!

Above: "Big View Photography" by Ed Barth, highlights the entire Incline. 50% of every sale went back to the Friends.

Free beer was offered to the first 50 people, but everyone that signed up went home with a new "Incline Friends" sweat-wicking Tee. The next steps for the Friends and the Incline? Hopefully by this spring, all special-use permits will be obtained as well as a 501(c)3 status. By this summer, they are hoping all the Intergovernmental Agreements (or IGA's) will be in order and of course and OFFICIAL OPENING!! Don't worry, you didn't miss your opportunity to support the Friends. Stop by their website, www.inclinefriends.com and donate today! $35 is a yearly membership and the money goes towards trailhead construction, trail-building projects and matching grants from the state.

Above: Proud sponsors of Incline Friends.

Towards the end of the night, it looked like an estimated 140 people had signed up, but the total number of memberships are still rolling in as we speak! For more info, check out these links:

• Incline Friends Membership Page
• Steps to get it legal
• Come to our UpaDowna Incline Happy Hour tomorrow!

Adventure On!

~MtnMama